X’Air Falcon, G-CCVJ

Summary:

The approach to Runway 26 appeared normal, until the flare, after which the aircraft landed heavily. This resulted in a fracture of the axle supporting the left mainwheel, causing the aircraft to turn to the left before coming to rest on the grass to the left of the runway. The pilot states that, in his opinion, the aircraft suffered sink on the approach, possibly due to wind effects from nearby Scrabo Hill, and that this led to the rapid descent of the aircraft at the commencement of the flare; the wind at the time was from 250º at 17 kt.